Daily Archives: April 6, 2019

Business

Farmers’ Market at Natividad Opens May 15

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The Everyone’s Harvest Market held Wednesdays from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm

Salinas, CA, April 06, 2019 — Natividad launches its popular weekly Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, May 15.

The California Certified Farmers’ Market, run by Everyone’s Harvest, is held every Wednesday from May 15 throughOctoberfrom 11:00 am to 3:30 pm outside of Building 200, Outpatient Services, located at 1441 Constitution Blvd.

“The market is part of Natividad’s ongoing commitment to promoting wellness and healthy eating,” said Natividad Assistant Administrator Andrea Rosenberg. “We hope our community and Natividad’s staff and patientstake advantage of the opportunity to shop for fresh produce, foods and more at our weekly market.”

Natividad’s Farmers’ Market features fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables, many of which are certified organic, flowers, live plants, and unique gifts from small-scale family farmers and local independent businesses. Shoppers support local California growers and entrepreneurs in the Salinas community, Rosenberg said.

Vendors participating this year include Stackhouse Brothers, Rodriguez Ranch, Golden Flowers, Gallardo’s Organics, Mai Thai Cuisine, Mix of Flavors, Chava’s Corn, Fruitas Fresca Barajas, Perfect Crumb, The Bearded Bean, Castellano Organic Farm, Hummus Heaven, and Luke’s Mobile Massage.

The Farmers’ Market 2019 lineup also features regular cooking demos and tastings from local chefs, Everyone’s Harvest team members and hospital staff members. Attendees of these demos enjoy a sample of the featured recipe and take home a recipe card. The cooking demonstration dates and chefs are posted at Everyone’s Harvest’s webpage at everyonesharvest.org.

The first cooking demo is at noon on May 15 and features renowned Monterey Peninsula chef Brandon Miller. Currently the executive chef at ilGrillo in Carmel, Miller is formerly executive chef at Stokes Adobe, Mundaka and Alvarado Street Brewing Company. Miller plans to make Warm Summer Squash Salad and tastings are provided.

Warm Summer Squash Salad

Brandon Miller

Executive Chef, ilGrillo

Makes 10 1/2 cup servings

1 lb. assorted zucchini

1/4 cup sliced natural almonds

1 tablespoons olive oil

2/3 cups Parmesan cheese, shaved

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut the ends off of zucchini and julienne using a Japanese mandolin or grater.

2. Warm oil in sauté pan with almonds. When almonds are lightly browned, add squash and remove from heat.

3. Toss the squash with almonds and oil, season with salt and pepper and place in serving dish.

4. Top with cheese and serve.

For more information aboutNatividad’s Farmers’ Market, please call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.

About Natividad

Natividad is an acute care hospital and Trauma Center providing high-quality health care to everyone in Monterey County, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty medical care. Founded in 1886, the 172-bed medical center has more than 10,000 admissions and 52,000 emergency visits annually. Home to the area’s only Level II Trauma Center, the hospital’s specialized personnel, equipment and services provide a vital local community service that saves lives and keeps patients close to home. Natividad’s Baby-Friendly® facility delivered more than 2,200 babies last year and is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. It also operates an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, giving the tiniest and most fragile babies — some as small as one pound — the best chance for a healthy start. Through its UCSF-accredited Family Medicine Residency Training Program, Natividad is the only teaching hospital on the Central Coast. For more information, please call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.

Media Contact:

Marci Bracco, Chatterbox PR

marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com, 831-747-7455

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

http://www.natividad.com

Art

Castroville Celebrates the 60th Annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival in June 2019 with Food, Live Music, Kids Zone, Chef Demos, and Beer, Wine and Spirits

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In 1959, the Central Coast community gathered to celebrate the harvest of the iconic vegetable and the region that became known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”

Castroville, CA, April 05 , 2019 — In 1959, the Central Coast community gathered to celebrate the harvest of the iconic vegetable and the region that became known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.”

In June of this year, festivalgoers will gather again, this time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of what is now known as the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, set for June 1-2, 2019, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

The festival not only celebrates the artichoke with dozens of delicious artichoke dishes, a beer, wine and spirits garden, chef demos, live entertainment, a kids zone, field tours and more, but has also became a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups that depend upon a successful event for their viability.

Open and free to all for both days of the Festival, Wild Science! by Imagination Gallery is hands-on fun with captivating STEM/STEAM displays and activities, for kids 1-101. Kids can take an excursion into the wild and amazing world of science through a plethora of interactive, fun, and visually captivating displays and activities. Families, adults, and children can experience the mysterious and entertaining aspects of science and technology in a fun and casual environment, through puzzles, hands-on displays, maker activities, and cool experiential demonstrations.

The Festival also has a full schedule of fantastic entertainment in two separate venues, the Main Stage and Family Stage. Enjoy live music and performances for the whole family on the Family Stage. Listen to some of your favorite local bands and hot tribute bands on the Main Stage, along with a scholarship presentation, Marilyn Monroe lookalike contest, artichoke-eating contest and artichoke canasta (harvesting) contest.

Bands performing on the Main Stage include the Chicano All Stars, Raise Your Glass tribute to Pink, Woodstock tribute to Jimi Hendrix, Maroon Vibes tribute to Maroon 5, and Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies. Entertainment is presented by KDON 102.5-FM.

Chicano All Stars

The Chicano All Stars Band is an extremely talented, dynamic and energetic all pro-musician band that plays Latin Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Old School and danceable Reggae. Lead vocalist Sam Martinez and lead guitarist and vocalist John Mallare, along with the polished horn section, create a sound that has made it one of the top Latin Rock bands in the area.T his dance band’s music appeals to a wide variety of audiences and will keep everyone dancing ‘til the music stops.

Raise Your Glass

Raise Your Glass (RYG) is quickly establishing itself as THE definitive Pink tribute show in the U.S. Based out of Los Angeles, CA, RYG has developed a growing fan base that includes a cross diversity of Pink aficionados as well as those who are captured by the group’s high-energy performances and quickly become Pink fans. Because of the multi-generational appeal and pop inclusiveness that defines Pink’s music, RYG brings a “Perfect Storm” trifecta to any event producer, high-end booking agent or corporate talent agency.

Woodstock

Sometimes a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard is a step back in time. To 1969, to be exact. It’s that way when Anthony Aquarius plugs in his battery-powered amplifiers, straps his electric guitar on upside down and belts out “Hey Joe” to startled passersby. Aquarius sounds like Jimi Hendrix. He looks like him too — right down to the lanky gait, bushy hair and flamboyantly colored clothes.

Maroon Vibes

Hailing as Northern California’s Premier Maroon 5 Tribute Band, Maroon Vibes, will grace the ears of Artichoke Festival attendees. Playing a variety of Maroon 5 hits including “This Love”, “She Will Be Loved”, and “Moves Like Jagger”, Maroon Vibes will have you dancing and singing along for their entire set.

Purple Fox and Heebie Jeebies

Purple Fox and the Heebie Jeebies is a Fun, Funky, upbeat Reggae, Rockin’ and Rollin’ Band based in Silicon Valley. Their sophomore album “The Something of Love”, won the Tillywig and the NAPPA Award for 2018, and is currently up for the Grammy nomination for the Best Children’s Album. A celebration of kindness and sharing,the songs bring kids and grownups together, an uplifting, meaningful, dynamic album for an instant Perfect Day. Upbeat Reggae tunes with catchy melodies, nostalgic horns, funky bass and sweet guitar solos.

A complete schedule of entertainment events can be found at: https://artichokefestival.org/entertainment-events/

For many years, the Artichoke Festival has been dedicated to informing and exciting festival attendees about the unique qualities of artichokes, including farming, harvest, and preparation to demonstrate how the artichoke industry has influenced the history of Monterey County. Now as a 501c3 organization, the purpose remains the same, with an emphasis on giving back to the local community.

Proceeds from the festival are used to support 501c3 community organizations and activities that align with the festivals mission.

Proceeds from the festival are used to support 501c3 community organizations and activities that align with the festivals mission. The following are the 2019 Artichoke Food & Wine Festival Donation Recipient Organizations:

Ag Against Hunger

Sun Street Center

North County Baseball

North County High School Golf

North Salinas Athletic Booster Club

Hope Horses & Kids

Marina Lions

Bikers for Bikes

Ashleigh Nicole Swain Memorial Scholarship

Ag History Project

Ord Terrace Elementary School

North County Wrestling Team

Monterey County Middle School

Golden State Elite

North County Recreation & Park

North County Bulldogs Cheer

North County Bulldogs

Monterey county Girls Basketball

Members of the current board of directors are:

Glenn Alameda

Stefani Cortopassi

David Delfino

Lynn Clark

Alex Gracia

Lionel Handel

Wes McClellan

Angie Micheli

Kathy Parish

Terry Bei Rohrs

Linda Scherer

Debbie Stadig

Kevin Tottino

California’s artichoke history began in 1922 when the first artichoke shoots were planted in Castroville. Today, more than nine decades later, nearly 100 percent of America’s fresh artichoke supply is grown in California and nearly two-thirds is grown in the small town of Castroville.

The first Artichoke Festival was held in 1959 under the sponsorship of the Marinovich Marching Units, with the assistance of the Castroville Rod and Gun Club. In 1961 it was a joint venture of the Marinovich Marching Units and the Castroville Chamber of Commerce to produce a larger festival, and Sally DeSante was chosen as the first Artichoke Queen. In 1963 , 1964, and 1965 it was solely sponsored by the Castroville Chamber of Commerce under the direction of the Artichoke Festival Board with Bill Price, one of the originators of the festival idea.

Advance tickets and discounted ticket packages are available online for the 60th annual festival at artichokefestival.org.

General admission is $15 for those 13 and older; seniors 62 and older and military personnel with ID are $10; children ages 6-12 are $5; general admission for one adult, with wine tasting pass, is $40 (must be 21 years or older); wine tasting alone is $30; and field tours are $10 (daily tour schedules to be announced at the Festival), good for adult or child 5-12. Online purchases are available through 9 a.m. June 2, 2019. No refunds.

Two discounted packages are also available, the Arti-Family Pack and the It’s A Date package. The former is $30, a $10 saving over the regular price. It includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount ends May 18, 2019, at 12 a.m. No refunds.

The It’s A Date package for 21 and older only, is $60, a savings of $20, includes two adult tickets and two wine and beer tasting tickets, good for Saturday or Sunday. This early bird discount also ends May 18, 2019, at 12 a.m. No refunds.

The Wine & Beer Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Must be 21 to enter.

In addition to live entertainment, there will also be live chef demonstrations. All chef demos will be held on the Chef Demo Stage at the festival and are free with admission to the festival.

About the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival

The Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival began in 1959 and has since developed to become a harvest festival to celebrate the iconic artichoke and region known as the “Artichoke Center of the World.” The festival features family-fun events for all ages and has been a primary source of funding for local non-profit groups for many years. For more information, visit http://artichokefestival.org/.

Links:

https://artichokefestival.org/general-info/media/

https://artichokefestival.org/blog/castroville-celebrates-the-60th-annual-artichoke-food-wine-festival-in-june-2019/

Contact:

Marci Bracco Cain

Chatterbox PR

Salinas, CA 93901

(831) 747-7455

https://artichokefestival.org

Business, Energy, Environment

Charles Paddock Zoo Adds Solar Energy System

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The solar energy system was donated and installed last summer by local solar installer, Solarponics.

Atascadero, CA, USA — The Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero adds solar energy system as part of their ongoing conservation mission. They join other zoo’s including; Cincinnati Zoo, Toledo Zoo, Knoxville Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Oakland Zoo, and San Diego Zoo, who have made a similar move to renewable energy.

The solar energy system was donated and installed last summer by local solar installer, Solarponics. The starter solar energy system produces about 5% of the zoo’s total energy demand and will save the zoo more than $75,000 over the life of the system. The ultimate goal is to install a solar array large enough to supply 100% of the zoo’s energy needs, saving hundred’s of thousands of dollars, savings that will go directly to the conservation and care of the zoo’s residents.

“We are excited about the future of our Zoo, adding solar, and upgrading our facilities to better manage the animal collection and enhance the experience for our zoo visitors,” said Alan Baker, zoo executive director. “We are dedicated to the conservation of local and exotic species in everything we do, including our entire energy and environmental footprint.”

Globally, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon and other pollutants into the air, which directly contribute to climate change. It is these changes to our climate that are destroying critical wildlife habitat, causing habitat ranges to shift, increasing incidence of pests and invasive species, and decreasing availability of food and water. A failure to take decisive action now to reduce carbon pollution will affect one-third of all wildlife species facing increased risk of extinction within the next century.

The good news is the zoo is taking action to advance clean energy solutions that will protect wildlife and reduce their environmental impact.

“It was a great fit for us to be able to donate the starter system to the zoo. The donation supports our local community, builds solar awareness, and fits with the zoo’s conservation goals”, said Kristian Emrich, Solarponics Vice President.

Visitors are invited to Party For The Planet on Saturday, April 13 to check out the new solar energy system on the roof of the zoo’s gift shop, and learn about conservation programs happening at the zoo and throughout the central coast. Doors open at 10:00 AM.

About The Charles Paddock Zoo
The Charles Paddock Zoo was established in 1955 by Charles Paddock, a county parks ranger, who nursed animals back to health. Today the zoo is home to hundreds of local and exotic species from around the world. Many of the zoo residents are part of globally managed programs to preserve animals and their habitats. The zoo is located on five wooded acres, and is family friendly with the opportunity for children and adults to experience animals up close. The Charles Paddock Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, placing them in an elite group of only 220 accredited institutions in North America. For hours, admission prices, events, visit http://www.charlespaddockzoo.org.

About Solarponics
Solarponics was founded in 1975 by Cal Poly engineering graduate, Mike Emrich, and is the oldest continuously operating solar energy company in California. Today, Solarponics installs solar electric, battery backup, EV charging systems, radiant heating & cooling, solar pool heating, water conservation and LED Commercial lighting for residential and commercial projects on the central coast. Their vision for the central coast is for every building to have a net-zero energy and resource consumption footprint. Visit http://www.solarponics.com or call (805) 466-5595 for more information.

Media Contact:
Frank Scotti
Solarponics, Inc.
805-466-5595
frank@solarponics.com

Local Solar Company